I don’t know anyone who likes going to the dentist. I’ve made my peace with it as an adult; after years of orthodontic torture as a child and adolescent, I feel there’s nothing they can do to me that’s worse than what they’ve already done. Whenever new dental technology arises, I’m always curious, hoping that it can spare today’s braces-wearing kids some of the pain and humiliation I went through as a child. While I haven’t quizzed any metal-mouthed children about their experiences lately, I’m willing to be that the 3D printing technology being adopted by the dental industry has made things at least a little bit easier for them.
One company that stands out in the field of 3D printed dental and orthodontic technology is EnvisionTEC, whose most recent product, the Perfactory Vida, was covered by 3DPrint.com in May. Now the company has improved on the Vida with their new Perfactory Vida Hi-Res, which they describe as a complementary product to the original Vida.
The Hi-Res might be more aptly named the Higher-Res, since it offers a higher resolution than the already high-resolution original Vida. Intended to be used for the most precise dental restorations, the Hi-Res also includes a touchscreen and on-board computer for additional ease of operation. Like the original Vida, the Vida Hi-Res is clearly designed to be used by busy offices, such as dental offices, who don’t have the time to learn a complex new piece of technology.
Both printers are part of EnvisionTEC’s Micro line of printers, their smallest desktop printers which are designed to deliver highly detailed and professional results while being low cost, compact and easy to use. Printers in the Micro line use DLP and LED technology and connect easily to users’ personal computers with the use of a USB. EnvisionTEC will be exhibiting the original Perfactory Vida along with the larger 3-Dent dental model printer at this week’s American Dental Association 2015 America’s Dental Meeting in Washington D.C. The conference is running from November 5th through the 10th.
EnvisionTEC, which has amassed nearly 100 patents since its creation in 1999, has been a mainstay in the 3D printing industry, with branches in not only the dental industry but the automotive, aerospace, electronics, jewelry and architectural industries, just to name a few.
Their printers are designed to be user friendly, and the company also offers online training sessions, as well as in-person training sessions at their training facilities in Detroit, Los Angeles and Toronto. If you’re attending the ADA conference, stop by EnvisionTEC’s booth number 3615 to say hello and learn more about their newest dental tech.
Let’s hear your thoughts on this update in the Perfactory Dental Forum thread on 3DPB.com.
